Elucidating the antiviral effects of a novel compound throat anti-viral through metabolomics and network pharmacology: A study on infectious bronchitis virus in poultry

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is a major pathogen that causes significant economic losses in the global poultry industry. Current vaccination strategies provide only partial protection, highlighting the need for more effective prevention and treatment methods. This study aimed to develop a novel compound throat anti-viral (CTA) from natural plants using data from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Inheritance System and identification through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. CTA demonstrated substantial anti-IBV effects both in vitro and in vivo studies. In vitro, CTA significantly inhibited IBV multiplication and alleviated the pathological lesions in chicken embryonic kidney cells, tracheal rings, and chicken embryos. In vivo, a seven-day treatment with CTA obtained much milder clinical signs, enhanced growth performance, and better immune organ indices in infected chickens. Additionally, CTA treatment reduced IBV levels in the trachea and lungs and increased specific antibody titers. CTA also maintained body homeostasis, exhibiting strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that mitigated respiratory tract damage. Metabolomics and network pharmacology analyses, revealed that CTA's antiviral effects are mediated through the FoxO signaling pathway. This study successfully developed an effective prescription database based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine Inheritance System and validated the antiviral efficacy of CTA through comprehensive in vitro and in vivo experiments. The findings elucidated the mechanisms of CTA's action, particularly through the FoxO signaling pathway, and highlighted its potential for clinical application as a novel antiviral treatment for IBV in the poultry industry.